Blind Childrens Center Inc

TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

ZERO TO THREE: WE SERVE CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH THREE YEARS OLD THROUGH TWO PROGRAM OPTIONS. (1) HOME-BASED: OUR HOME VISITOR DELIVERS SERVICES DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES, PROVIDING STRATEGIES TO PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN THE HOME, INCLUDING ADAPTATIONS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE HOME, AND INTRODUCING INFANTS AND TODDLERS TO ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON BUILDING CRITICAL SKILLS FROM THEIR YOUNGEST DAYS, INCLUDING FEEDING, CRAWLING, AND ACHIEVING OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES. SOCIALIZATIONS WITH OTHER INFANTS AND FAMILIES ARE ALSO SCHEDULED ONSITE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO PROMOTE SOCIALIZATION AND COMBAT ISOLATION AND CAREGIVER FATIGUE. (2) CENTER-BASED TODDLER PROGRAM (18-36 MONTHS): WHEN CHILDREN REACH 18 MONTHS OF AGE, THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN OUR CENTER-BASED TODDLER PROGRAM OR CONTINUE TO RECEIVE HOME-BASED SERVICES. (SEE SCH O) AT THE CENTER, CHILDREN ARE PLACED IN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS WITH CHILDREN WHO ARE TYPICALLY DEVELOPING (SIGHTED) AND IMMERSED IN DAILY LITERACY, MOBILITY, AND MOTOR SKILLS TRAINING TO CONTINUE THEIR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS ADAPTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION TO BUILD PHYSICAL FITNESS AND PROMOTE FRIENDSHIPS.

PRESCHOOL: OUR PRESCHOOL PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, ONSITE EDUCATION IN AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, WITH TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILDREN IN EACH CLASSROOM. OUR SMALL CLASS SIZES ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION AND, FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED, TRAINING IN OPTIMIZING THE USE OF THEIR REMAINING VISION, SENSORY DEVELOPMENT, ORIENTATION & MOBILITY (INCLUDING CANE TRAVEL), SPEECH/LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, EARLY MATH, AND LITERACY PREPAREDNESS FOR CHILDREN FROM 3-5 YEARS OLD. WE CONTINUE TO STRESS PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PROMOTE CLASSROOM FRIENDSHIPS, AND THE ACQUISITION OF SOCIAL SKILLS THROUGH ADAPTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES ON OUR TWO PLAYGROUNDS AND SWIMMING POOL, AND MUSIC, DANCE, AND OTHER FUN LEARNING ACTIVITIES. CLASSES ARE HELD MONDAY-FRIDAY FROM 9 A.M. - 2:45 P.M., FROM AUGUST THROUGH JUNE.

KINDERGARTEN: THE CENTER PROVIDED A KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS IN A FULLY INCLUSIVE SETTING. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN OPTIMIZING THE UTILIZATION OF LOW VISION, SENSORY DEVELOPMENT, ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY (INCLUDING CANE TRAVEL), OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY (FINE & GROSS MOTOR SKILLS), SPEECH/LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, EARLY MATH SKILLS, AND LITERACY PREPAREDNESS AND TRAINING. CLASSES RAN MONDAY-FRIDAY FROM 9 A.M. - 2:45 P.M., FROM AUGUST THROUGH JUNE.

CA ADULT AND CHILDCARE FOOD PROGRAM; MEDICAL, VISION AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES TO CHILDREN.